Seventy-two judges preside over the New Mexico's thirteen District Courts.

District courts can hear just about any kind of case for its initial trial, including civil and criminal cases. They are not allowed to hear cases, however, that are reserved by law for tribal, federal, or appeals courts. Cases appealed from the District Court may go to the Court of Appeals then to the Supreme Court.

New Mexico Supreme Court Justices must be attorneys and they are elected officials, although the governor appoints attorneys to fill vacancies between elections.